Car roof



Sept 12, 1933. D. w. HAWKSWORTH ET AL 1,926,742

CAR ROOF Filed June l, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet ATTORNEYS Sept 12, 1933. D,w. HAwKswoR-rH E1`AL 1,926,742

CAR ROOF 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June l, 1931 ATTO RN EYS Patented sept.12, 1933 e poration of Delaware ,Application June 1,1931. serial No.541,504

6. claims. (c1. s-5.8)

The invention relates tocar roofs ofthe type known as universal in whichroofing elements of standard form and dimensions can be applied to carshaving roofs-of different areas; To apply 5 such roong elements to carso f' different Widths, provision is made for` an overlapping joint whichis adjustable transversely of the car to extend or contract the roof.Adjustment to differentr lengths of `cars may be made in various Ways,but preferably this also is'by the provision of overlapping adjustableroong elements at yone yend of the cari However, due to the fact thatthe roof must also be adjustable in ywidth as well as in length, certaincomplications arisewhich rendery it diflicult to vobtain athoroughlypractical and weatherproofconstruction. 4: It is the objectofthe presentinvention to `ob tain a construction which permits ofvariably'adjusting the roof longitudinally of the car to an extentsubstantially equal to the width of :one ofthe roofing sheets and whichis also adapted to form a thoroughly weatherproof construction in allpositions of adjustment,` and one which is securely fastened downv onthe car'frame. To this 2 end the invention 'consists inthe constructionas hereinafter set forth. In the-drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view ofaportion `of a car roof embodying my invention; f

3 Figure 2 is a longitudinal section intheplane of the ridge;

v Figure 3 is an end elevation of a portion of the end transverse cap; yI I f Figure 4 is a side elevation thereof; Figure 5 is la section online 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is Va perspective view partly broken awayshowing the construction of the adjustable end transverse cap `andcooperating elements.

The roof frame may be ofv any suitable con-V struction but as showncomprises the carlines A and purlines B. lSupported on this frameareroofing sheets C which extend on opposite sides of the ridge to theeaves, being lprovided on opposite side edges with the upstandingflanges D terminatingvin laterally extending flanges D which overlap thecarlines. These side flanges are continuous ywith an upstanding ange E'at the ridge end of the sheet and at the eaves are downwardly extendingreturn bent portions F ywhich have a weatherproof engagement with aflashing G. This flashing is preferably formed of a strip of Z crosssectionehaving the portion G which is nailedto the sideejplate of thecar,

the outwardlyextending Web G2 and the down- 5 turned flange G3,`whichlatter engages the 're- 'cap on the sheets.

' widths of cars. Thus in one extreme the roong vPririzflar orFlcE Y CARRooF David w. Hawksworth, Bimngham, and yAlfred y R. Wilson, DetroitMich., assignorsto Hutchins,` Car Roofing Company, Detroit, Mich., acorturn bend of the roofing sheet. Between adjacent sheets on oppositesides of the carline are weatherproong caps I-I which bear down on saidsheets to form a weatherproof joint and to also retain the sheets uponthe roof. These caps H are held down near the eaves by bolts I and atthe ridge are held down in the usual manner by ridge caps J Vandjunction caps K which caps are of suff cient width to permit ofadjustment of the sheets 'C thereunder to correspond to diiferent 65widths of cars.

The construction as vthus far described has heretofore been used as auniversalroof for application to cars of various Widths, the same`standard elements being used in each case with only a difference in theamount of overlap ofthe ridge Where, however, kthe car is different inlengthby an amount which is less than the Width of Vone sheet, thisrequires a con-V struction capable of longitudinal as well as transverseadjustment. Here a diculty arises due to the fact that the longitudinaladjustment means must be engageable with the other elements of the roofin all different adjustments for different sheets C on opposite sidesofthe ridge are arranged with their ridge flanges E in close proximitywhile in the other extreme these flanges j are widely separated and are-arranged in close proximity to the opposite sides of the ridge cap 5 J.To overcome this difficulty We have devised a construction of transversecap for usey at the end of the car which is adapted to variably overlapthe adjacent roong sheet while at the ridge there is lprovided a cap ofspecial construction adapted to form a Vweatherproof joint with both theend transverse caps and withv the adjacent ridge cap without interferingwith the adjustment of the roof to various widths of cars,l theconstruction being as'follows: 95

The end transverse cap L is formed of a width suicient to provide forthe necessary adjustment longitudinally of the car for variation inlength of cars less than the width of one of the sheets C. This cap Lhas the downturned flange L overlapping the end of the carand rigidly`secured place of the usual construction of junction cap, aV

M is provided, having a downturned mange M nailed orotherwise rigidlysecured to the end of the car and being of a Width corresponding to theWidth of the caps L and of a length transu versely of the car greaterthan that of the ridge cap andjunction caps. This greater length issufficient to maintain a weatherprooffjoint with the short end caps Leven Where the roof is adjusted for cars or" maximum width and as thecap M also nts over the ridge cap J and is adjustable thereon, theconstruction can be placed on cars dilering both in length and Width andwill form a weatherproof joint in each` instance,

To hold the caps L down at the eaves it isinot possibie to use theconstruction of .boltsL such are used with the transverse caps H, forsuch bolts would interfere With thefend sheet C in different positionsof adjustment thereof; We have therefore devised a construction ofholding down means at the eaves permitting freedom for adjustment andatthe same vtime maintaining a thoroughly weatherproof joint, theconstruction seing a." follows: The caps L have at the eaves downturnedanges L3 which terminate in re turn bent fianges L4, the widthV of thereturn bends being greater than .that ofthereturn bendsl F of the sheetsC. As has been describedthe return bends F' of the sheets C form aWeatherproof engagement with the doivnturned flange G3 of the flashingGavhich flashing has Lthe laterally extending web portions G2 and theiiange portion G which isrigidly secured to the side plate of the car.To hold down the-caps L thereis provided a U-shaped `member ,N whichembraces the return 'Y bend, portionsL4 and has one leg N extendingyupward to engage the under side of the web G2. O is a bolt having a Thead O engaging a recess L5 in the return bent flange'llrl, said boltpassing downward through an aperture in the U-shaped member N and beingprovided with a clamping nut P. Thus by tightening the nut P the returnbent .dange L.4 may be drawn downward, the-reaction being taken by the-U-shaped lmember N which is anchored by the bearing of the .upperv endof the leg N against the flashing G. As this -iiashing-isfsecurelyfastened to the car frame it is evident that the tightening of the nut Pwill draw the cap L down upon said frame vand will maintain aweatherproof joint between the` cap and the sheet C. VThe member N ispreferably formed of relatively heavy. gauge metal so as to have therequisite strength, and the upper endV of `the leg N' is return bent atN? to form a bearing on the web GTI-fairly close to the plane; of theflange G. The T head Oof the bolt O'being in the recess or depressedportion L5 of the return bend L4, will not interfere with the freelongitudinal movementv ofthe return bend F thereover. A lock Washer Qmay be placed betweenthe nut lPv and the member N with a flange Qthereof which may be bent. down to hold the nut from disengagement. i

' As the roof is of the flexible type it is desirable to preventinterference with therelative -movement of the sheets and cap by theholding down means. This is accomplished first by forming the head O ci'the bolt of Vsegmental cylindrical form which permits the rocking of thebolt in relation to the Li-shaped ange; second, by avoiding any .dXedattachment between the member N and the flashing G2 soy that said memberN is free to move longitudinally relative to said flashing.

' What We claim as our invention is: f

1. In a car roof of a type adjustable to t cars of different lengths andWidths, the combination with roofing sheets arranged upon opposite sidesof the ridge having upstanding side and ridge iianges, and ridge capsembracing said ridge anges and overlapping said sheets to provide foradjustment of the same to different widths of cars, of an end-transversecap embracing the side flange Yof the adjacent sheet and adapted tovari,- ably overlap Vsaid sheet, the'length of said end cap being lessthan the length of said sheets to clear said ridge cap when adjusted tominimum Widths of cars, an end junctionv cap fitting over said ridge capand adjustable longitudinally thereof, said end junction cap being ofgreater Width than said ridge cap to overlap said end-transverse capwhen adjusted for maximum Width of cars and means for holding down saidend transverse cap at the eaves permitting a variable overlappingengagement of said cap With the adjacent sheet, and maintainingWeatherproof joint in all positions of adjustment. i

V2. In a-car roof-of a type adjustable to fit cars of dierent lengthsand widths, .the combination with roong sheets arranged upon oppositesides of theridge` having .upstanding side and ridge flanged.A and ridgecaps embracing said ridge anges and overlapping said sheets to providefor adjustment ofthe same to different Widths of cars, of anend-transverse cap embracing .the side ange of the adjacentsheet'andadapted to variably overlap saidsheet, the length of said end105 cap being less than the length of said sheets to clear said ridgecap when adjusted to minimum Widths of cars, and said cap being providedWith a down-turned end flange rigidly attached to the endiof the car, anend junction cap having a doWnturned end ange, rigidly attached'to theend of the car, said cap embracing said ridge cap to variably overlapthe same longitudinally thereof, and being of a, length transversely ofthe car in excess of the width of said ridge cap to engage said shortend-transverse cap when adjusted for maximum'widths of cars, and meansengaging said end-transverse cap at the eaves for holding down the inneredge of said caps upon the .ad-

jacent roong sheet tomaintain a 'Weatherproof joint, said means avoidinginterference With the relative adjustment of said sheet and cap.

3.. In a car roof, the combination with roong sheets having downturnedreturn bent eaves anges and a ashing secured to the side of the carhaving a depending ange engaging the return'bend o1 said sheets, of anend-transverse cap for variably overlapping the adjacent roong sheet,said cap having a downturned flange for rigid attachment to the end ofthe end ofthe car anda return bent eaves ilange for embracing the returnbent flange of the roofing sheet and a holding down means for said capcomprising a bolt engaging the return bent eaves flange thereof, a nuton said bolt and an abutment for said nut anchored to said flashing.

4. In a car roof, the combination with roofing sheets having downturnedreturn bent eaves flanges and a flashing secured to the Side of the carhaving a downturned flangeV engaging said return bent flanges, of aweather-proofing cap for said sheets also provided with downturnedreturn bent eaves flanges embracing the corresponding flanges on saidsheets, a bolt having its head engaging a depressed portion in thereturn bent flange Yof said cap to clear the return bent flange of saidsheet, said bolt extending vdownward from saidV cap, Va U-shapedabutment member ,embracing said return bent flangeof said caprandapertured for the passage of 'said bolt therethrough, one leg of saidabutment member having an anchorage engagement `with said flashing and anut for engaging said bolt and said abutment to draw said cap downuponsaid sheet. Y Y

5. In a car roof, the combination with roofing sheets having downturnedreturn bent eaves flanges and caps for said sheets' having correspondingdownturned return bent flanges teles-` oopically engaging the anges ofsaid sheets, of a flashing secured to the car body and having adownturned flange engaging the return bent anges of the caps andsheetsjand a holding down means for a cap Comprising a vbolt having aT-head of segmental cylindrical'form rockably engaging a depressedportion of the return bent ange of said cap, said bolt passing through aslotted aperture in` said return bent flange, a U-shaped abutment memberembracing the return bent flange of said cap and having one legextending upward into Contact with said flashing, and a nut engagingsaid bolt and bearing against said abutmentV to draw said cap downwardupon the sheet.

6. In a car roof, the combination with roong sheets having downturnedreturn bent eaves flanges, and a cap for said sheets provided with acorresponding downward return -bent eaves flange embracing the flange ofsaid sheet, a Z-bar' into contact with the web portion of said Z-bar filashing'and a nut for engaging said bolt and abutment for drawings thecap downward on the sheet. i DAVID W. I-IAWKSWORTH.

f ALFRED R. WILSON.

